I cannot recommend the Institute of Urban Homesteading's Cheese Making Intensive enough…read more This day and a half "intensive" is a combination of the cheese making 1, 2 and 3 classes, taught by IUH founder Ruby. It's fast-paced and she throws a lot of information at you, but the whole process is warm, interactive and accessible. I immediately felt like I could leave Ruby's home and make these cheeses (and other dairy products!) we had learned in my own. I especially love that she's found what seems like the perfect middle ground between science lesson and home-cook/homesteader understanding. She brings her personal experience in with just enough of the science and technical understanding to make home cheese making incredible accessible and attainable. I also love that IUH also has a sliding scale for fees because it demonstrates the value they put on what they teach in making these classes more widely accessible. I already have the summer farm tours on my calendar, and I can't wait to take my next class.

I haven't done anything with this organization in years, but thought highly of them in the past…read more Over the past couple of years I've tried to unsubscribe from their emails. I just tried again today using their "unsubscribe" link. What I got back was NOT a confirmation that I'd been unsubscribed. Rather, it was a detailed email from an unknown (to me) mail server company which wanted me to click on THEIR link to actually unsubscribe. I'm not about to click on an unknown link from an unknown sender. I think a direct request using the "Unsubscribe" link in an Urban Homestead email and sent from the very email address I want unsubscribed is absolutely sufficient. I do not recommend getting on their email list.

Thankful this place shutdown. The owner was an egotistical maniac and at one point literally had a…read moreswearing/screaming tell off session with our group. He also enjoys using his "status" as a way of putting down ppl and making them feel less than. All of the "lessons" you take at this "school" can be found for free online and there is absolutely no need to drop $14K or more. Not only that, you're expected to do all of your own work in terms of networking and finding jobs during and after. You're deemed a lazy, entitled brat if you're not doing most of the work yourself. So not sure what we're paying the tuition for? I'm not surprised by the reviews here. The owner uses bullying tactics to scare ppl from speaking out such as telling students he will ruin you and that knows all the CEOs and founders in silicone valley (I highly doubt such an assinine person would be accepted in those circles). Hence my need to make this account to avoid jeopardizing my own career that I built myself from scratch. If you contact alumni and ask for the real tea, you will find out these shiny reviews are a farce and I welcome you to do that to save yourself. I hope this review saves people a ton of money and emotional abuse caused by this establishment.

I am an alum, and I am so glad to hear this place is shut down. The founder and his team are…read moreegotistical, delusional, abusive, and rude. I had low self esteem when I joined which is why I tolerated their attitudes. I was once yelled at by the founder's mother, she literally yelled at me at the school. And the team bullied students who were so afraid of losing the network. 14K was not worth it. I wasted my time and resources there. My previous 1 star review was deleted, not sure why. I am adding another one here. If they represent Silicon Valley, I would not touch SV because the culture is toxic.

I can't say enough good things about The Potters' Studio. Teachers are fantastic, staff is…read moreresponsive and helpful, and the space is large and has everything one could ask for.

I have taken classes there for 5 years, and the instructors are wonderful. Students can use the…read morestudio outside of class time. The value for your $$ is very high. This studio has an amazing offering of classes (6 week and 12 week) and workshops (2-3 days) , and the opportunity to learn all of pottery process, like making glazes and firing the kilns.

What an awesome experience! Whether you're and experienced woodworker and just want to make…read moresomething cool or a total novice with zero wood experience, this is the place for you! Michael provides clear instructions, quality equipment, and personalized advice to help you through the build process. Classes are flexible and he allows you to customize your project however you like. It makes the project feel much more personal! I took the cutting board class and he let me choose my materials (I chose walnut with maple), size of the board, and unique touches that I thought looked cool (rounded edges, handles). I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. It's fun to say to be able to say that you built something with quality materials that is going to last for years! The class took about 4 hours which I thought was totally reasonable. And I walked out of there with a finished project that I could show off right away. The shop is easy to get to and Michael works with you on scheduling to make sure you complete your project in a timeframe that works for you. The whole thing is really easy convenient! I'm looking forward to returning and taking other classes!

I had a great day learning from Michael this week. He's patient and flexible with the curriculum,…read moretailoring the session to exactly what I needed and asked for. I learned the proper a/k/a safe way to use: miter saw, jointer, planer, table saw, track saw, and router table all in one day. He's open for collaboration on future projects outside of the fixed classes, so when I come up with something that goes beyond any of my skills, we'll work together to design and execute. Awesome experience all around. Lesson learned: safe woodworking means no gloves and no long sleeves, so prepare to keep your core warm for sessions during the winter months.

Wow! This place is pricey. But they do have a great selection of top quality consumer kitchenware…read more If you are in need of a $200 pot, this is the place to come. The staff is extremely helpful and very knowledgeable. They are able to order items that are not currently in stock. Parking at fourth Street can be challenging, especially on the weekends. But there is a lot directly behind this place. It is crowded though.

This was very much the visit that made me realize I don't especially like Sur La Table's vibe…read more I walked in looking for Le Creuset. They didn't carry much but what they did have was in Cerise and otherwise they heavily leaned Staub. I know Staub is a bit heartier, but it's so unattractive I can't get past how washed out their pink color is. Walking around the store after being greeted, I found it organized a bit oddly, with a minimal Valentines Day section. They didn't have the Stone Lain Stella Porcelain Round Dinner Plates I planned on checking out during my visit but they did have the pink heart plate, which I promptly noped out of when I saw how glitzy it was. The location has limited selection and in my opinion is only worth a drop in if you're in the area and a fan of Sur La Table. Personally I like the Williams Sonoma vibe and style more, so I likely won't be back.

This a great local resource for woodworkers. The Mt. Diablo Adult Education program offers may…read moreadult woodworking classes for beginners to advances woodworkers, along with open shop classes. The woodworking 1 class is a great introduction to all the equipment through the process of building a beautiful step stool. The day and night classes include men and women of all ages. The fees are very reasonable to get access to great equipment. The teachers are knowledgeable and very willing to help. For more info: https://mdae.mdusd.org/

I'm taking a woodworking class here, and I'm thoroughly satisfied with the level and quality of…read moreinstruction. The tools in the wood shop are great, and the instructors really know their stuff. What's more, those guys sure know how to keep a sharp edge on their equipment. Tuition is, in my opinion, up to what one would expect to pay in today's economy, especially considering that everyone is scrambling for cash to stay afloat, even the local government and its affiliated programs. The registration process on the archaic website is a touch on the byzantine side, though. It looks a lot like the very first website I ever coded when I was 16 years old. Uhh, now that I think about it, it looks like the website I designed a few years ago. But I'm no web designer, so hah! Point being, you're gonna have to dig around a little bit to find what you're looking for, but once you've found it, the actual act of registering for a class is pretty straightforward. Now, back to the woodworking instructors: Between the Bill and Dave, they've got about 70 years experience, 20 fingers, 20 toes, and 8 eyes (they both wear glasses). So I trust them to teach me the ways. I don't know if I'll ever be able to snatch the pebble from their hands, but I'm confident that they're showing me how to keep all my phalanges and body parts so that I could snatch that pebble, even if only in theory. I plan on taking many more courses here, especially in the "Working with Wood" category of classes. Now go forth and learn something new!

amazing, learned so much. I would recommend to anyone who wants to advance holistic health…read moreunderstanding or get into the field

It has been several years since my experience at AIM and I am still grateful for all of it. My…read moreprimary care physician is a graduate and speaker there and so is my osteopath who still assists there. Both are important friends to me. The unkind and judgmental words---directed at me personally---from John B. of Oregon in his AIM review indicates the lack of empathy, sympathy, or understanding that another human being can have for another. I do not hold anyone at AIM responsible for the cruel attacks attempting to discredit another person's experience. I am happy that most students benefit greatly from Francesca's program. She has built noteworthy institutions in both the Academy of Intuition Medicine and Energy Medicine University. I admire her accomplishments and even mentioned her university favorably in my novel series. Something that could help others be more sensitive to and possibly grow in knowledge in is the misconception that the human ego is somehow negative or bad---as John B. chose to denote. In my experience, ego is an essential part of our being and absolutely necessary for soular development and eventual spiritual ascension . . . with a refined ego. I am sorry that my observations and personal experience triggers anger in some to the point where they feel berating and putting down another is the right course of action. It, of course, is not. Making assumptions based on ignorance hurts people. That would be the second thing a healer should know. The first . . . kindness helps people. John B. and Jean T. of Fairfax, who both wrote defensive reviews that misconstrued my words, who do not know what happened, who do not know me at all, made substantially wrong conclusions about my intentions and my actual statements. It is as if they didn't read my review at all and produced some alternate interpretation to exhaust their resentment to my experience which differed from theirs. The teachings and curriculum are just fine. Nothing cultish there. It is the cult-like devotion I witnessed every class meeting by the teaching assistants telling me all the various ways Francesca knows what is going on with each student---even in their private lives. I have always and continue to be open to any opportunity to learn . . . from any source. The large quantities of e-mails, materials, and coursework I received at the Academy was fascinating and I read everything I was provided. Learning for me is not mutually exclusive . . . it is a way of life to gather knowledge, to learn all there is to learn. It would have been nice to receive my MIM diploma, because I like to finish what I start. But, I was not given that choice. Francesca told me many times that "you are too advanced for this program." If anyone knows Francesca, they would know she never patronizes nor says anything she doesn't think is true. And, how many of you have ever heard Francesca repeat herself many times in the same conversation? That was the first and only time I've witnessed it. It saddens me that people didn't accept that Francesca might be right in her assertion about me. Somehow, some think the very notion of being too advanced is impossible ergo a white lie said to pacify a rebel egotist. According to several AIM graduates I've bumped into after my Yelp reviews came out, some things did in fact change at the Academy. This was my reason for the review, to help create positive change. It is good to hear that John B's class benefited years later. I imagine a world that does not merely tolerate differences. I imagine a people who see the pain of others and offer a space of kindness where true understanding can flourish. I had made an error in assuming AIM was one such possible haven. Consequently, I was the one who had been hurt back then. Quite a few people have written to me via Yelp commending me for my reviews of AIM depicting their same experiences accurately. I was well liked and respected by my fellow classmates. It was one teacher assistant and the instructor who resented me for asking a few innocent questions. I was openly punished and told, "if I don't trust her wisdom then I'd better leave." So, I accepted her punishment, kept quiet, and opted to willingly comply . . . yet, I was still eventually expelled. I was later called by my AIM mentor and told to ingratiate myself and beg to be reinstated to earn my spot back in the Masters program, because the same thing had happened to him and that was what he did. His apparent transference involved belittling me and invalidating Francesca's statements about my being too advanced for the Masters program. If John B. represents even a tiny percentage of how AIM people think and feel, it is case in point for my disappointment in the discovery that some intuitive healers are not spiritual, at all. Which I suppose is the main talking point the others are making---AIM teaches energy medicine, not spirituality. This happens to be my exact same point as well. Update 0019 Feel.

We had the best experience with Maureen, one of the many talented doulas at Brilliant Births. We…read moreopted for a private Laboring together class, and it exceeded every expectation. Maureen guided us with so much knowledge, warmth and patience. She gave us practical tools, hands on techniques, and the confidence we needed as we prepare for our baby. We both walked out feeling way more prepared. If you're looking for someone who empowers, educates and genuinely cares, Maureen is incredible. We're so grateful!

My partner and I recently completed the Hypnobirthing three week course at Brilliant Births. We had…read morean absolutely incredible experience, for many reasons--The information we learned was invaluable, but also the instructors' teaching styles and depth of personal experience they offered was appreciated, comforting, and helpful. They clearly have a deep well of wisdom and experience-based expertise to share. We started our class with Keira and absolutely loved her--originally we were a bit bummed to know we would have a different instructor for our last day of the course. However, it turned out that Heidi was equitably wonderful and all things lovely-- instead of only one great instructor and guide, we ended up with two...which leads me to believe you'll be in skilled hands with anyone you interact with at BB. We will definitely be returning to take advantage of their other offerings!

Jeannie and Valeria at the Santa Rosa store were extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly…read more They have a large selection of fabrics, sewing supplies, etc to choose from. I was very appreciative for their help. Very satisfied customer.

Kudos to Village Sewing for bumping up their fabric game and making the sewing machine and repair…read moreshop a "must see destination" for fabric. They are now carrying the much sought after fabrics like Lori Holt, Riley Blake, Moda, Kaffe and have them beautifully displayed. There are fun new Kits, patterns, books, and accessories too. The employees are knowledgeable and can help you with your sewing needs. This is a much needed addition to our community. Heidi A.

Went in for a massage and it was the best I have had! Erin truly knows how to heal. The whole…read morevisit was amazing, I left energized in body with a very deep spiritual experience that I truly appreciate. I will definitely be going back as soon possible. The location is great, and the ambiance is special.

Erin Wallace, the owner of Transformational Healing Center, is a light and an inspiration!…read more My journey with her began with a curiosity about DNA Activation. I am always enjoying, exploring and experiencing different healing modalities, and my Activation with Erin made me feel great, which was awesome. However, I have referred friends & family to her who have experienced their DNA activations as profound and life-altering experiences, enabling them to break through many of their obstacles in one go. While I loved it and definitely felt clearer & better, the DNA activation did not totally transform my life, however, it did feel wonderful and propelled me forward into deeper healing. Since that initial experience with Erin, I have received so many different and powerful modalities from her - ancient Mystery School techniques & healings - and they have all been deeply empowering and transformative. For those wanting a healing path without process work (though I also practice & love process work!) where you can just relax and allow yourself to gently glide back into who-you-truly-are, I whole-heartedly recommend: Isis Healing King Solomon Healing Modality Etheric Surgery For those wanting to move deeper into the exploration of their spiritual selves, her Mystery School classes are amazing and she is a loving and generous teacher and guide! Her classes have enriched my life in ways I cannot even begin to describe. My work with Erin has been a true gift.